Antioxidant and cytotoxic activity of Acanthus ilicifolius flower

Asian Pac J Trop Biomed. 2013 Jan;3(1):17-21. doi: 10.1016/S2221-1691(13)60017-9.

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the antioxidant and cytotoxic activity of the flower of Acanthus ilicifolius (A. ilicifolius).

Methods: Antioxidant activity was determined as antiradical efficiency with diphenyl picrylhydrazil (DPPH) method and cytotoxic assay was undertaken using brine shrimp lethal toxicity test.

Results: A. ilicifolius flower contained terpenoid, phenolic compounds, and alkaloid. The methanol extract of A. ilicifolius flower showed the highest antiradical efficiency (AE=1.41×10(-3)) against DPPH radicals and the highest cytotoxicity (LC50=22 µg/mL) against brine shrimp nauplii.

Conclusions: It is suggested that active compounds of A. ilicifolius flower solved in methanol play a role to inhibit free radical activity and kill Artemia salina nauplii. The substances can be considered as potential antioxidant and cytotoxic agents as well as imminent candidate for cancer therapy.

Keywords: Acanthus ilicifolius; Antioxidant; Cytotoxic; Flower.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Acanthaceae / chemistry*
  • Animals
  • Antioxidants / pharmacology*
  • Artemia / drug effects*
  • Biphenyl Compounds / chemistry
  • Biphenyl Compounds / pharmacology
  • Cytotoxins / toxicity*
  • Flowers / chemistry*
  • Lethal Dose 50
  • Picrates / chemistry
  • Picrates / pharmacology
  • Plant Extracts / chemistry
  • Plant Extracts / pharmacology*

Substances

  • Antioxidants
  • Biphenyl Compounds
  • Cytotoxins
  • Picrates
  • Plant Extracts
  • 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl